BSM Searches at a Photon Collider with Energy $E_{\gamma\gamma}< 12$ GeV

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of a low-energy photon collider extension of the European XFEL to observe BSM phenomena like ALPs via light-by-light scattering, highlighting its unique physics reach.

Contribution

It presents a simplified model for cross section calculations and discusses the collider's capability to detect BSM processes in the 5-12 GeV photon-photon energy range.

Findings

Photon collider can observe $b\bar{b}$ and $c\bar{c}$ resonances, tetraquarks, and mesonic molecules.

Extended physics reach beyond current experimental limits.

Potential to detect ALPs through light-by-light scattering.

Abstract

The possibility of a photon collider extension to the beam dump of the $17.5$ GeV European XFEL has already been discussed before as the first high energy collider of its sort. It would not only be the first proof of concept and test of a photon collider but would also be a collider without competition in the region of $E_{\gamma\gamma}=5-12$ GeV for photon-photon collision. In this range, $b\bar{b}$ and $c\bar{c}$ resonances, tetraquarks and mesonic molecules can be observed. Furthermore, some BSM processes can also be reached in this range. In this paper we want to discuss the possibility of observing ALPs in the process of light-by-light scattering at such a collider. We will use a simplified description of the Compton backscattering process to get a first look at cross sections for the Standard Model light-by-light scattering and the extension including ALPs. Furthermore, we extend this to the full beam dynamics included prediction, discuss all effects that are important when working with a photon collider and show that the photon collider with energy $E_{\gamma\gamma}<12$ GeV would offer an extended physics reach compared to current limits.